Use of propofol to control refractory involuntary movements.

The authors report the first case of propofol use for the control of non-epileptic involuntary movements in a patient with postviral encephalitis. The withdrawal from propofol was associated with re-emergence of involuntary movements. The patient was maintained on propofol infusion for 6 months while a series of medications were used in an attempt to control the movements. The movements were finally controlled with high doses of phenobarbital, diazepam, and olanzapine, and the propofol was slowly weaned.